British Indians among key voters

There is a sense of urgency as the June 23 referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union draws near. Apparently, the outcome will affect one and all at various levels, and it is now clear that Indians and other minorities may hold the balance because there seems to be equal support for the In and Out campaigns among white voters. The opinion in the Indian community seems to be overwhelmingly in favour of UK remaining in the EU, a position in line with that of the Indian government, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his November visit. Priti Patel, the only major lawmaker of Indian origin in the Brexit camp has stuck to her long-held Eurosceptic position, earning her grudging respect from critics even if her arguments are often laughed at. A new British Election Study survey reveals the crucial position of the Indian and other minority communities, categorised in official discourse as the BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities. It found that opinion among the majority of white voters is absolutely neck and neck in favour of the Remain in EU (41.85%) and Brexit (41.79%) camps. But opinion among BAME communities, including Indians, is clearly 2 to 1 in favour of remaining.